Denying UK Contractors Promotional Opportunities

Denying UK Contractors Promotional Opportunities

As the editor of an international construction magazine (http://www.cwmags,com) i regularly write about construction projects around the world . . . the one exception being UK projects where there is a virtual news black out (from the construction and engineering skills side).

Here is my latest editorial comment when writing about the stadiums built in South Africa for the FIFA World Cup 2010

" . . . . South African contractors are to be congratulated for delivering the stadiums to the high expectations of the FIFA Organizers and I am pleased to promote their achievements in this issue, with extended reports on what was done as well as a detailed report from one of the main contractors.

In compiling these articles for CONTRACTORS WORLD, it was also refreshing to talk to contractors and Government departments that wanted to promote their achievements. Here in London, there are many major projects in progress - the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Cross London Rail Link (a railway tunnel running east to west underneath London), the Shard high-rise tower not to mention the extensive, challenging road expansion on the London orbital road, the M25.

Reporting on these projects is made very difficult by clients not wanting publicity, contractors being under contractual restrictions not to talk to the press, Government departments that have little interest in promoting British engineering capabilities and a general lethargy because of Health and Safety and other dubious litigious excuses.

And it is not only the UK that makes life difficult for contractors and editors. It has become the norm rather than the exception; almost an enforced censorship on the freedom of the press to report positively on activities.

By contrast, South African contractors and Cape Town Government have gone out of their way to help promote their achievements. This is good for the country and good for the contractors who may benefit from global exposure to the work they can do."